India Keeps Eye on US Tariff Moves Against Europe

19-Jan-2026 09:00 PM

New Delhi. The US President, adamant on acquiring Greenland, a territory under the control of Denmark, has threatened to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on eight European countries if no deal is reached, and to increase it to 25 percent from June 2026.

This threat from the US President can be considered a warning for India to be vigilant, as the US administration can take any step at any time to further its own interests.

Blindly trusting the promises and intentions of the US could prove fatal for India, so it must be cautious while formulating its trade strategy.

During the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between India and the US, India must ensure that the autonomy of its trade strategy is not compromised.

US policy has become unstable and is subject to frequent changes. Recent events clearly indicate that the US can break any agreement and exert undue pressure on any country for its own self-interest.

The eight European countries on which the US has threatened to impose a 10 percent tariff include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom (England), the Netherlands (Holland), and Finland.

All these countries have decided to support Denmark on the Greenland issue and oppose the US. These European countries are generally considered allies of the US, but the fact that the US can take action against them should serve as a lesson for Indian strategists.

The new tariff is likely to come into effect from February 1, 2026. If this does not yield the desired results, it could be increased to 25 percent from June 1, 2026. This tariff could have a significant impact on the European countries.